PHNOM PENH, Sept. 10 (FN) — The Cambodia's Ministry of Education announced Saturday that 55,753 applicants, or 62.18 percent, of the total 89,661 candidates passed their high school graduation exam.

"Some 405 applicants gained Grade A, 2,801 others earned Grade B, and the remainder passed with Grade C, D and E," said a ministry's news statement.

The applicants took the annual exam on Aug. 22 and 23 in the subjects of geography, history, biology, foreign language, Khmer literature, mathematics and moral-civic education.

The passing rate in this year's test was higher than a 55. 8-percent passing rate in the last year's exam.

High school exam is a prerequisite for students to pursue their studies at university levels.

The Southeast Asian country has begun to strengthen high school quality since 2014 through cleaning up cheat and bribery during the grade 12 national exam.